I want to wish a happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate those 8 days of lights.

How is your tree holding up this year? We have 2 teenage kittens who prefer to play with any thing that wiggles or shines. I expect to keep all breakable ornaments in the ornament box this year. Handmade ornaments with a personal touch are keepsakes.

This week’s ornament idea is to draw the outlines of handprints of mom, dad, kids, grandparents, cousins and friends on green felt. Write everyone’s names, ages and the date on the wrists. Glue the green hands together to form a tree. Decorate the fingers with gold glitter. Glue green, white and red pom-poms on the fingers and, voila, you have a keepsake handprint Christmas tree.

CAROLINA CHRISTMAS lights are back at the state fairgrounds until Dec. 27, 6-9 pm weekdays, 6-10 weekends. Admission is $20 a car. For details, go to scstatefair. org.

CHRISTMAS CAN be stressful. Find a fun Christmas, winter season mask, and bring some cheer to those in stores. Be active. Walk to relieve stress. Cultivate important relationships, and spend time petting your cats and dogs to de-stress you. Get enough rest, laugh, and nurture some gratitude and thanksgiving for what is going right in your life. Don’t overspend on shopping. If you don’t want to go out, order online! Bake cookies and give them to someone who seems to be sad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO James Smalley, Heather Slice, Charlotte Amick, Marvin Lindler and Patricia Bashore.